As the first pallets of peaches and nectarines from South Africa are underway to markets via airfreight, a return to a normal plum season is expected. Weather related challenges reduced the plum crop during the past two years. According to Leon Pienaar, Senior Trader at the grower-exporter RuBisCO, based in Cape Town, "We expect a normal season, there will be more volume than last year, but not a bumper crop. We had two off-seasons and maybe this season we will have between 13.5 to 14.0 million cartons - 5.25kg equivalent."
The plum season will start 7 – 10 days later than last season due to later rain and cold, says Pienaar. The RuBisCO Team have just returned from pre-season visits to their key markets of Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. "The markets are all expected to be empty by the time the first South African plums arrive. Europe remains our key market, although new market access is helping diversify our geographic supply. We have been shipping plums to the U.S. for the past three seasons. The key to unlocking the U.S. potential is the taste and flavour profile of South African plums, resulting in repeat buying from delighted customers. Varietal choice is key to further enhance sales within the category. Our MD Hubert Leclercq travels to the U.S. every year to see the arrivals and opportunities."
Gaining new market access is high on the priority list for South African exporters. Pienaar says they can't wait for China, as the next market, to open. "China will open soon, this season their inspectors will travel here. Hopefully by next season we can send fruit there. The Middle East has become important for South African stone fruit and the market is ready to start the plum season. Europe is positive too. Airfreight on a few peaches and nectarines started," says Pienaar.
RuBisCO is the licence holder for the Ben Dor stone fruit varieties in South Africa. "For the plums, the Green Red variety from Ben Dor is exceptional and unique. We have commercial plantings and are rapidly expanding as a result of demand in Europe and the U.S. and we believe it will also have the correct taste profile for China. This year alone, we are expanding Green Red orchards with 25 ha. It is in high demand in Europe, the U.S. and in the UK, certain key retailers are appreciating the sweet taste and bright red flesh, with the Far East looking for it too. I'll go as far to say it's our flagship plum because of the exceptional taste, coupled with dark red flesh and green skin. Black Pearl, a relatively early season black plum with red flesh and Lamoon a yellow plum are further key Ben Dor plums planted commercially in South Africa. RuBisCO is a grower owned exporter, stone fruit is our biggest commodity, while we export citrus and table grapes too," concludes Pienaar.
For more information:
Leon Pienaar
RuBisCO
Tel: +27 78 215 3166
[email protected]
www.rubisco.co.za